After debate and discussion, Council votes to extend Market House Trust contract
The meeting agenda had originally listed an item to "consider approval to send the Market Trust a letter ending the agreement with the trust effective December 31, 2015." After much discussion among councillors and trust members, however, that measure was voted down. Council instead voted five to two on a motion to extend the trust's contract by one year under the current agreement. Council President Mike Beury and Councillor Stephanie Weisser voted against the motion.
During the discussion leading to the vote, Cleon Berntheizel, chairman of the trust, noted that last year the trust had asked the borough for support in applying for a grant and initiating a capital campaign to raise funds for renovations to the inside of the Market House building. These initiatives were to be the start of moving forward with Phase II of the Market House Study of 2005, to which the borough offered its support. He explained that the grant subsequently got held up at the state level. "We are back on for that [the grant] this year. We don't know where that stands," he said and added that the trust doesn't know if they will receive the grant.
Under the guidance of a consultant, Ken Kauffman, the trust had considered converting Columbia's market to a "green farmer's market" with fresh produce and other items, but is now considering a mixed-use market. The green market proposal called for renovating the market's infrastructure by upgrading the electrical and water systems including additional sinks and refrigeration units. Berntheizel said the proposal for mixed-use is to explore options that could complement the market. "All we are doing is an experiment or just to see what might be the possibilities out there," he said. He added that the trust is not looking at closing the market. "This is just an exercise to see if this makes sense and if there's somebody out there that we can do a mixed use with."
Several councillors noted that the trust had not fulfilled some of the terms of the agreement. Councillor Barry Ford pointed out that the trust had not given adequate notice of its meetings and did not send quarterly reports. He also said the trust had not promoted the market as much as stand holders do.
Trust members replied that meeting notices had been emailed and that quarterly reports and meeting minutes were sent to Acting Borough Manager Ron Miller. Berntheizel said the reason the trust had not done much to promote the market was due to lack of advertising dollars. He said they had asked the borough for funding last year but had been turned down. "If you don't have advertising dollars, you don't advertise," he said.
A stand holder said vendors have taken it upon themselves to advertise, but noted there was quite a large drop in support from the community. She said several vendors have left, and several who were supposed to come did not.
Jeanne Cooper, vice-chair, said, "I didn't know that we were responsible for advertising. If any of the landlords on Locust Street are responsible for advertising for any of the people who rent their property, I don't think they're aware of it." She also told council that the trust needs time to work through these things. "Until we get that grant that we can't do the inside, there are so many vendors that we can't get in for a green market." She also informed council of the trust's two meetings a month, on second and fourth Wednesdays.
Councillor Kelly Murphy added that if one in ten households in the borough shopped at the market on a regular basis, council would not need to be having a discussion.
Comments
Do you think Hillary, Donald, Jeb, or even Rand would stop in on his/her campaign today? Possibly to use it as an empty hall for stumping.
This is my first time on this blog and was very angry that in five years this market has been dormant and not functional as a business opportunity for entrepreneurs. When visiting the Lancaster Market, it thrives of support from Corporate Directors and a host of sponsorship that works together on one goal, BUSINESS. They must sit in meetings and thank Columbia for giving them their increased business.
Do they declare themselves a Green Market?
Columbia Borough Council seems to be leaving the citizens hostage of their own town. I am a very sad citizen that has no interest in a corrupted government of its "who you know' policies. The state needs to be notified of possible corruption scandal that looms behind closed doors.
SAD
not a thing.used to be a nice place to get lunch buy vegs bake goods meat and many more t
.
Frankly, the overly optimistic perspective of the 2005 Market Study stated a 24% share of market of the 12, 621 households within "seven minutes" of the market house would shop at the market house. Translated to real numbers, that's roughly 3,030 shopper households a week.
BTW....which means By The Way, his wife is NOT a Trust director.
Chapter 11
Ethics Standards And Financial Disclosure
http://www.ethics.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/ethics/8995/the_ethics_act/539789
"Conflict" or "conflict of interest." Use by a public official or public employee of the authority of his office or employment or any confidential information received through his holding public office or employment for the private pecuniary benefit of himself, a member of his immediate family or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated. The term does not include an action having a de minimis economic impact or which affects to the same degree a class consisting of the general public or a subclass consisting of an industry, occupation or other group which includes the public official or public employee, a member of his immediate family or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated.
(Let's see give myself a raise at home or worry about the taxpayers)
All those things you talk about that's not there are!
Go to market have lunch at TJ's or Laura B's Deli or BBQ at SBS BBQ, buy veggies from Esh Farm or My mother Daughters. buy baked goods at Kat's Sweet Treats, get sliced meats at the deli and if you not hungry for that then get a pretzel or buy something from the other vendors that offer jewelry many other things... Did I mention the is Heritage Pairing that sells breads from various bakeries one being from Ric's of Central Market... Hmm...
So don't just pop your head in the door. Go in, walk around see whats there, meet the hard working vendors who are most not from Columbia but believe in what everyone else has given up on... Remember too that not all vendors are there everyday so get to know the stand and vendor days/hours...
Things are taking time and not going at the pace of those but it's growing one vendor at a time and one customer at a time... So before say " there isn't anything there" go cause what your saying is really you haven't been there in sometime just as others haven't either but just like to complain...
Support not distort!
If their not doing it then replace them with the qualified persons that everyone seeks but remember they have to be free... No tax payer monies allowed to be spent or compensation...
Or others should step up to the plate and take a wack at it... No money... Put your money where your mouth is, as they say!
Smoking mirrors cannot be cleaned, but they can be replaced.